In Beloved, Sethe demonstrates the theme of how slavery has affected the lives of African-Americans. Even after slavery, Sethe remains disturbed and fearful of her past. The experience has affected her mentally and emotionally as well. Because of this, Sethe attempts to forget her past but the memories of slavery are instilled in her everyday life. For example, the baby ghost of 124 Bluestone forces Sethe to be constantly reminded of killing her third child to save her from the fate of slavery. The chokecherry tree scars on her back is a physical reminiscent of her abused past – the scars caused by being whipped. Even the presence of Beloved triggers unwanted recollections, causing Sethe to become deeply depressed by the end of the book. Although Sethe herself does not explicitly talk about the theme, the emotions and thoughts she has implies them.
Sethe herself represents a society of post-slavery African-Americans, especially women. The murder of her child was not uncommon among other mother slaves. Many other African-American slaves killed their children to save them from living a slave’s life. The emotional pain Sethe endured after slavery would reflect other slaves’ emotions as well of trying to forget their past. The difficulties Sethe went through in attempt to forget could be applied to many other slaves, although not necessarily with the same factors.
Sethe herself represents a society of post-slavery African-Americans, especially women. The murder of her child was not uncommon among other mother slaves. Many other African-American slaves killed their children to save them from living a slave’s life. The emotional pain Sethe endured after slavery would reflect other slaves’ emotions as well of trying to forget their past. The difficulties Sethe went through in attempt to forget could be applied to many other slaves, although not necessarily with the same factors.